| Sling Media Slingbox Personal Video Broadcaster
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Conclusion:
The Sling Media Slingbox really is a cool item. I was familiar with the product from things I had read online, but it wasn't until I actually started using it that I appreciated exactly what it was all about.
Many people might think there is no need to share TV, DVDs, or other A/V sources across their network, or even across the Internet, but having the ability might make you think a bit differently. You can now watch cable TV out in the garage on your wireless laptop, or you can catch up on your DVR's recordings while on a trip around the world. One thing in particular that I would find to be quite convenient is being able to tune in to the Metro Traffic channel before heading home from the office. These are just three of the many practical uses that the Slingbox can provide by letting you take your home television and A/V components with you where ever you go.
With a device like this, it may be hard to pin down a concrete set of "Cons". Most of the items I may have listed as negatives throughout the review are personal preference or things that might be nice to see in future revisions to the Slingbox. The physical styling is trivial given the functionality, and the one key to the functionality that may be interesting for consideration is to allow component video inputs.
The only difficulty I had with the operation of the device came while trying to configure remote viewing. The automatically configuration didn't work for me, and setting it up manually took a few minutes. The Slingbox documentation is clear that remote viewing may be for more advanced users, but with a basic understanding of your home network you should be able to handle it. Now that I have mine setup, I have even assigned a URL to my Slingbox location, further simplifying its use at new locations anywhere in the world.
At this time Geeks.com sells the Slingbox for about $220, which seems to be about the going rate. Some online retailers may have it for less, but many have it for much more. No matter what, you are still going to spend about $200 or more for a Slingbox, which isn't a trivial investment. I am not saying that the price doesn't reflect the effort that went into the design or the quality of the components, but it may inhibit widespread adoption.
I hope this is just the beginning for the Slingbox, and that Sling Media continues to develop the technology. It is a great idea, and one that I am sure can be improved and refined to make it even more enjoyable. Given the unique nature of the product, and its impressive performance, I award the Sling Media Slingbox a final score of 4.5 out of 5 stars and the distinction of bring "Recommended" and a "Great Idea".
Final Rating (4.5 out of 5 stars):  
 
Pros:
» Great idea
» Easy to use
» Works well
» Built in TV tuner
» Includes all necessary accessories
» Watch and control TV or other A/V sources from just about anywhere!
Cons:
» A/V inputs from S-video and composite only
» Configuring remote viewing may not be easy
» Price
Special thanks to Geeks.com for providing the Sling Media Slingbox to Bigbruin.com for review!
Please drop by the Bigbruin.com Forum and feel free to post any comments or questions.
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